Tag: environment
Fairfax County board approves plastic bag tax
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a 5-cent tax on disposable plastic bags Sept. 14. The new tax takes effect Jan. 1, 2022, and applies to bags provided to customers at grocery stores, convenience stores, and drug stores.
Evaluations underway on Lake Accotink dredging project options
Lake Accotink is filling up with sediment. Options under consideration for drying out the sediment dredged out of Lake Accotink have been narrowed down to Wakefield Park near the maintenance facility, the Dominion Energy right of way, the upper lake settling basin, and the lake island. Several alternative sites – Howrey Park, the Wakefield Park … Continued
Board of Supervisors sets hearing on proposed plastic bag tax
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 27 agreed to hold a public hearing on a proposed plastic bag tax. The tax would be 5 cents per bag provided by grocery stores, convenience stores, and drugstores.
Sheep offer a quieter, natural alternative to lawn mowing
Sunflower (left) and her daughters Sunday and Zirafa took care of Beverley Rivera’s lawn. Cousin Rudy was part of the lamb crew, too. [Beverley Rivera] Lawn mowing usually doesn’t draw a crowd – except when the “mowing” is done by sheep. Curious neighbors flocked to the home of Beverley Rivera in North Springfield last week … Continued
Lake Accotink dredging sites could disrupt the Howrey memorial, youth sports, and wildlife habitats
These signs were put up by the Friends of the Soldiers Memorial at Howrey Park. The options under consideration for dredging Lake Accotink are raising alarm bells among residents concerned about the potential environmental destruction and loss of sports fields. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed to fund a $30.5 million dredging project in … Continued
Public urged to stop feeding birds
A sick bluejay found in the D.C. area. [Belinda Burwell] Wildlife officials don’t yet know why so many birds are sick and dying, but they urge residents to stop feeding birds until there are answers. Wildlife managers in Virginia; Washington, D.C.; Maryland; and West Virginia began receiving reports of sick and dying birds with eye … Continued
Stream restoration project starts this week in Annandale
Construction is expected to start this week on a stream restoration project in the Broyhill Crest neighborhood in Annandale. The Murray Lane Outfall Restoration Project will stabilize a 722-linear-foot section of an unnamed tributary of Holmes Run in the Cameron Run watershed. The project will increase capacity in the existing channel and stabilize the stream … Continued
Community presents complaints about Justice Park parking lot to school and park officials
The proposal for Justice Park. Click to enlarge. Fairfax County Public Schools and Park Authority officials agreed to consider community members’ objections to the proposal to carve out space for a parking lot in Justice Park. However, they didn’t indicate that any alternatives would be feasible. At a virtual meeting on the project May 6 … Continued
Solar energy furthers the mission of Peace Lutheran Church to address climate change
The roof of Peace Lutheran Church is being prepared for the installation of solar panels. For Peace Lutheran Church in Lincolnia, protecting the future of the planet is a key concern – and, as a result, the church is taking action to address the climate crisis by installing solar panels on its roof. Pastor Sarah … Continued
More alternatives should be considered for Justice parking lot
A rendering of the Justice High School addition. By Nazir Bhagat The proposal by Fairfax County Public Schools and the Fairfax County Park Authority to build a parking lot in Justice Park as part of a school expansion project has led to widespread opposition among the community. Nearby residents have been having a hard time … Continued
Residents demand answers on parking lot in Justice Park
A meeting on a proposed parking lot in Justice Park was held in the park’s outdoor classroom. About 100 people showed up at a meeting at Justice Park Sunday afternoon to learn more about a plan to create a parking lot in the park – and strategize on how to fight it. Fairfax County Public … Continued
Toxic chemicals found in Annandale drinking water
According to the D.C.-based Environmental Working Group (EWG), Annandale zip code 22003 has the highest levels of toxic PFAS (per- and polyfluorakyl) chemicals in Fairfax County The EWG tested tap water at 19 locations in Northern Virginia at private residences, commercial establishments, and parks.
Watch the Green Grow program encourages residents to protect the watershed
A native garden in Annandale. Fairfax County residents who take actions to protect the watershed – by not using toxic chemicals on their lawn or replacing invasives with native plants, for example – can chart their efforts on an interactive map. The map is part of the Park Authority’s Watch the Green Grow program, which … Continued
Lumber not landfills: Use urban wood instead of throwing it away
A conference table in Harrisonburg is made from an ash tree reclaimed by the city government’s urban wood program. [WHSV] By Marie Reinsdorf “We envision a future where every tree has a use at the end of its life – a level of use that honors its existence.” – vision statement from the Virginia Urban … Continued
Fairfax County plans to install solar panels on government buildings
The Mason Government Center. Fairfax County is proposing a plan to install solar panels at 22 public buildings. The Board of Supervisors is holding a public hearing March 9 on a proposal to lease county-owned property to Sigora Solar LLC for the installation, operation, and maintenance of solar photovoltaic panels for electricity generation.